The Best Robot Vacuum Mop Combo For Pet Hair

If you've got shedding pets, a robot vacuum mop combo can keep your home in check between deep cleanings. These machines reach under furniture and into corners to clean up the mess you can't see.

Jodhaira Rodriguez has tried a variety of floor-cleaning tools in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab which includes a variety of mop and robot vacuum combinations. She's compiled her top picks for the best models for pet hair.

1. Battery life

The size of your house and the number of pets you have are crucial considerations when choosing a robot vacuum and mop combo. The larger your home is, the more power a robot cleaner will need. More pets typically result in more hair. The type of floor surfaces in your home are also crucial as certain models are better at cleaning hard floors than others.

A robotic vacuum and mop will get rid of pet hair from any flooring surface, including hardwood, tile and carpet. If you have multiple pets, you may need an item that is particularly effective in removing hair. Some robot cleaners have water functions to help with sticky spills or stains. They also disinfect floors with the water.

Robot mop mops that vacuum and mop also have longer battery life. It's because you are using two functions in one device, which decreases the time needed to charge and then shut down. Some models are able to automatically empty themselves from their charging station after each run and dry the pads in the process, preventing bacteria from forming in wet pads.

Ecovacs Deebot X2 is the most effective robot mop and vacuum combo to keep up with pet hairs and footprints. This model is a top performer in our tests and has plenty of smarts that include TrueMapping 2.0 and TrueDetect 3D technology to map your home to create optimal cleaning patterns and avoid bumping into furniture or other obstacles. It also has an all-in-one base that houses both the clean and dirty water tanks, which makes it easy to maintain.

2. App control

Many robot vacuums and mop combos have an app that lets you save your house's maps and set up cleaning schedules, and keep track of maintenance requirements. Certain robots can be controlled remotely. However, that's not required and you can still find models with an on-board power button that is located on the base station, or a charging docks, or even the remote that is included.

In general, you should look for a model that has a clean up mode that vacuums, mops, or does both and doesn't require the user to press a manual button to shut off. This way you can take the robot back to its dock to empty its dirt bin and change the pad that is wet, wash a mop cloth or refill its water tank. It is also important to determine whether the robot is compatible with your voice assistant. If it is, you can simply use a voice command such as "OK Google" or "OK Alexa" to begin cleaning or ask for assistance with a problem and more.

Before choosing a robot cleaner, consider how much time it will take to maintain the machine and how much traffic you have on your floors. If you have furniture that isn't as large or a lot of space, you may want to pick a cleaner with a lower capacity for mopping and vacuuming. It is also important to think about the fact that some mopping robots can be expensive and require recurring expenses. They are often expensive to purchase and you'll need to purchase new pads or cloths. Be sure to take into consideration the cost of the cleaning product itself, as some brands might suggest purchasing an additional cleaning product to keep your floors tidy.

3. Carpet recognition

The most effective robot vacuum and mop combination can distinguish between hard and carpet surfaces, ensuring they don't vacuum or scrub over stains or spills. They can also spot areas that have more than one type of flooring and automate cleaning in accordance with the arrangement of your home. These functions are generally easy to use however, you'll need to install an additional app on your smartphone.

Some hybrid models don't use any liquid. These robots usually empty into a dust bag kept inside the base station. Some robots come with a feature that allows you to dispose of the contents of the robot into a trashcan.

Some robots are able to be used on dry and wet floors, such as tile or hardwood. The most effective robot vacuums and mop combos for pet hair can be used on all types of surfaces. This is why they are a great choice if your home has different flooring.

When choosing a robot vacuum and mop, consider the size of your home and the amount of foot traffic it gets. You'll want to select a model with enough power and battery longevity to cope with daily cleanings of your floors, particularly if you have kids or pets.

The best two-in-one robots have superior capabilities that justify the cost. Ecovacs' Deebot Omni, for example is able to mop and vacuum with 8,000-Pa suction and also has a dual-rotating mop head. It can also scan your furniture and other items to stay clear of them while cleaning, and can even communicate with using two-way audio. It also takes care of its own dirtying so it will automatically go back to its dock when it's time for washing.

4. Water tank capacity

Robot vacuums lift dirt and deposit it into a dust bag or bin, whereas robot mops disperse cleaning solutions across the floor and scrubs it off with pads. Some models can do both while others have specific capabilities for dealing with various surfaces. Take note of the type of flooring and foot traffic you have in your home to ensure you have the best rated robot vacuum for pet hair cleaning.

Most robot vacuum and mop combos need the use of a cleaning formula that differs between brands. While you can purchase third-party cleaners to use with these machines however, it's recommended to stick to the brand that is recommended by the manufacturer. This will help prevent damage and keep your robot running as efficient as it can.

If your robot vacuum and mop combo uses a dust bin, you'll have to empty it frequently. Many come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time change out the bin. Similar to that, you'll have to replace the filters, rollers, side sweeping brushes and other accessories from time to time to ensure the best robot vacuum for pet hair self-emptying bagless performance.

A self-emptying robot can make this process a lot easier, allowing you to simply dump the contents of the bin into a trash can or recycling bin. Most of these machines don't automatically clean and air dry their mopping pads or cloths which can cause an increase in bacterial growth. If your machine does not have this feature, remove the pad and wash it after each use. You can also lay it flat to dry between runs if you don't have a machine that has this feature.

This feature is available on the iRobot Combo i5+ as well as the Shark Matrix Plus 2 in 1 and the Eureka E10S. The budget-friendly iLife V5s Pro, on the other hand, is focused on minimalism, and does not have this functionality.

5. Mop mode

The iRobot Roomba J7 is the top robot vacuum and mop combination to keep your floors clean when you're not there. It's a little pricey however its AI obstacle avoidance is among the best in the business. It can detect poop, vacuum up Cheerios and even sift through the tangled mess of phone cords and socks that tend to accumulate on your floors. This makes it an excellent choice for homes with children and pets that like to keep the floor free of clutter.

It's also among the few robots we tested that can sweep hard floors, like hardwood, tile and Linoleum. It was able to do a great job cleaning sticky messes, wet spills, and pet hair vacuum that is easy to maintain hair from carpets.

The only drawback is that it's not a 2-in-1 robot, and can take up to 6 hours to charge. Also, while most robots automatically empty dust bags that are stored at the base station, this model requires you to empty the dust bin after it's full. This can be a challenge especially in larger houses with a high ceiling or stairs.

If you're looking for a more traditional 2-in-1, try the Ecovacs Deebot T10 Plus. It is equipped with powerful suction that easily eliminate pet hair from carpets. It also comes with a self-emptying bin. It also comes with scented air filters pods so you can pick the scent that you like best. It has a lower life battery than the best models we tested and needs to be recharged frequently.